Peloponnesian War Activities

Peloponnesian War Activities | Ancient Greece (2-Day Lesson)

Help your students understand why the Peloponnesian War started - and why it lasted so long with this engaging, student-friendly 2-day lesson bundle for Ancient Greece.

Students act as historians as they:

• Investigate multiple perspectives using a Who’s to Blame? Case File
• Analyze evidence to determine responsibility
• Build a simplified timeline to understand cause and effect over time

This resource is perfect for upper elementary or middle school classrooms and requires minimal prep.

Day 1: Who’s to Blame? Case File Investigation

• Students examine evidence from:
• Athens
• Sparta
• Greek Allies
• Using evidence cards and a graphic organizer, students gather information, analyze actions, and make a supported claim about who was most responsible for starting the Peloponnesian War.

Day 2: Peloponnesian War Timeline Activity

• Students sequence key events—including the Golden Age of Athens, the Plague, and the Sicilian Expedition—to understand why the war dragged on for decades.
• Students identify turning points and reflect on how specific events weakened Athens.

What’s Included

• Student-friendly Evidence Cards
• Case File Evidence Log Graphic Organizer
• Final Claim writing prompt
• Timeline Event Cards with dates
• Timeline Student Organizer
• Answer Keys for both lessons
• One-page Teacher Instruction Sheets for both days

All materials are provided as easy-to-use PDF printables—just print and teach!

Skills Covered:

• Cause and effect
• Historical perspective
• Timeline sequencing
• Evidence-based reasoning

Perfect For:

• 6th grade Ancient Greece units
• Social Studies inquiry lessons
• Timeline and cause/effect practice
• Sub plans or structured review days

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Permission to copy for single classroom use only.